College of Engineering Dean JoAnn Lighty is the first Boise State-affiliated member to receive the Idaho Associated General Contractors (AGC) Member Services Award for her dedication and impact on the construction industry in Idaho.
Lighty became the 19th recipient to be honored with the award, as well as the first non-member and non-staff recipient of the award. There were a record 830 attendees – including Idaho Governor Brad Little – at the 89th Annual Awards Gala in Dec. 2023. The award was presented by Idaho AGC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Hammon.
“I am honored to be recognized by the AGC,” Lighty said. “I value and appreciate their partnership, and the many industrial partnerships we have, that help Boise State continue to be able to grow and advance our construction industry workforce.”
According to the AGC, the annual Member Services Award highlights the contributions of an individual or group that has provided service to the Idaho AGC and its membership.
The College of Engineering offers Idaho’s only Construction Management (CM) program available at a public university. Under Lighty’s leadership, the CM department has grown over 60% in the last four years. Her vision and work within the college highlighted the program and has directly impacted the construction industry in Idaho, providing much-needed workforce development key to helping the industry grow and thrive in Idaho.
“Throughout her tenure as dean, JoAnn has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the CM program, its faculty and most importantly its students,” Hammon said. “Her continued support through good times and bad is unparalleled. She has made a significant difference in the program’s success representing Idaho’s construction community. I wish to express our gratitude for her hard work and dedication. All of Idaho is better for her service.”
Boise State’s statewide impact
In Idaho, the construction industry contributed $6.1 billion of the state’s $111 billion gross domestic product. Boise State’s CM program is nearing its 45th anniversary, growing into the ninth-largest enrolled undergraduate program at the university with nearly 400 students in 2023-2024. Additionally, 95% of CM graduates complete internships prior to graduation and receive multiple job offers within three months of graduation poised to make an immediate impact on the workforce.
With in-demand careers across Idaho and beyond, the CM program is fundraising to complete a new construction management building on campus. Given the CM program is the only one at a public university, the new state-of-the-art facility will allow students to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom with hands-on learning opportunities.
Find out how you can make an impact on the future of construction management at Boise State here.